Adelaidean FREE Publication NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE Volume 12 • Number 11 • December 2003 inside this issue PAGE 7 Olivia’s a model student with a taste for gastronomy Why Guy’s our idol PAGE 9 Chess masters make a move for championship PAGE 13 Wheat crop has added health benefits PAGE 19 Thirty years on, the mystery solved PAGE 2 It’s a summer of love… for study! PAGE 4 China’s chief scientist opens lab in Adelaide PAGE 10 Concern over killer lung disease levels among smokers Before becoming a national star, Guy Sebastian grabbed the attention of classmates at the University of Adelaide Photo courtesy of BMG Music Australia World-class drug and alcohol research centre opens PAGE 15 Hot flowers – sexy rewards PAGE 16 Love of sport vaults Jennifer to success PAGE 20 Mitchell’s study going Australian Idol Guy Sebastian gave the University of Adelaide a taste of his undoubted musical talents earlier this year – as a student. swimmingly While most students wait until they’ve finished their studies before making a name for themselves, Guy has gone from studying at the university’s prestigious Elder School of Music to becoming a national star —and all within a matter of months! The University of Adelaide is Australia’s third oldest university and is known internationally for excellence in research and teaching. www.adelaide.edu.au Along the way he’s earned the praise of former classmates and staff at the Elder School. Australian Idol, watched weekly by millions of television viewers nationwide, has provided Guy with a lucrative recording contract, a high profile and a ready-made fan base eager for more of his vocal talents. Technology. But events overtook his studies, and he took time off to pursue his Australian Idol dream. The 22-year-old music teacher and recording engineer had been studying as part of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) program at the Elder School of Music. VET offers hands-on, pre-degree courses as a thorough grounding for further music studies. According to Elder School of Music lecturer Dr Mark Carroll, those in Guy’s class were unexpectedly treated to a marvellous showcase of his ability earlier this year. Specifically, Guy was enrolled in the Certificate IV program in Music “Guy was fairly low key around the place—the quiet guy with the beanie and the ’fro,” Dr Carroll said. continued on page 6 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 It’s a summer of love… for study! The University of Adelaide Summer School is now a natural part of Adelaide’s vibrant summer life. With this season offering up events such as the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Writers’ Week and the Fringe Festival (with its Hub at the University of Adelaide), why not continue the theme of personal inspiration, intellectual stimulation and enjoyment by taking part in our Summer School? The Summer School is a unique offering of intensive and/or short degree courses, preparatory courses, special interest and professional update courses, all offered during the summer months. Anyone can enrol in the Summer School, with classes open to current and commencing University of Adelaide students, students from other universities and members of the community. Adelaidean Editor: David Ellis Writers: Ben Osborne, Howard Salkow, David Ellis Design and Layout: Chris Tonkin Contributors: Dr Stephanie Agius, Nicole Stones, Kim McBride, Benjamin Leske Printed by: Lane Print Group Distribution: Lane Print Group Passing Out Distribution Co. Advertising: KRL Media Tel: +61 8 8231 5433 Fax: +61 8 8212 1238 Email: [email protected] Coming Events: Please send all coming events to the editor at the address below. There is no charge for coming events, but they must be university related. Deadline for next issue: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 Room G07 Mitchell Building, South Australia, 5005. Tel: +61 8 8303 5174 Fax: +61 8 8303 4838 Email: [email protected] www.adelaide.edu.au/pr/publications/ Adelaidean/ Material may be reproduced without permission but acknowledgement must be given to the Adelaidean. Registered by Australia Post No 565001/00046 “Our Summer School reflects the University of Adelaide’s commitment to flexibility in education, and a responsiveness to changing student, community and business needs,” said Liz Pryzibilla, Director of the Centre for Professional & Continuing Education, which coordinates the Summer School. For instance, the University of Adelaide’s academic faculties offer a range of short award and nonaward courses during the summer break. These courses provide new and advancing University of Adelaide students, as well as students from other local, national and international universities, with greater flexibility in their studies. “Whatever your age, whatever your qualifications, you’ll find opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills at the Summer School. “These students now have an opportunity to spread their workload over the whole year, accelerate their degree, pick up prerequisites, re-take a subject or have time to study subjects outside the normal range of their degree,” Ms Pryzibilla said. “Each course offers a vibrant learning atmosphere leading to a rewarding and enriching experience. We have an exceptional selection of courses to choose from,” she said. “As the Summer School develops we aim to offer an even bigger range of award and non-award courses, drawing on the resources of every faculty in the university.” In addition, members of the public will again be drawn to the wide selection of short courses over summer that are open to everyone. These include a range of Intensive Language courses catering from the beginner to the advanced learner, one-day Professional and Personal Development courses, Year 12 Summer holiday courses, and special interest community courses. To find the course that best suits your needs or interests, phone (08) 8303 4777 or visit the Summer School website: www.adelaide.edu.au/summerschool Wine Centre remains open to public The University of Adelaide has responded to public demand and extended free entry to the National Wine Centre until the end of January 2004. Mr Mark Szolga, the university’s Commercial Director, said the institution was keeping its initial promise by making the centre accessible to the public. In announcing the acquisition, ViceChancellor Professor James McWha said the National Wine Centre would provide improved links with the wine industry and would enhance the university’s position in Australia and globally “as the leading Australian wine educator”. “It also offers unique marketing opportunities and much needed space for the expansion of our winerelated programs,” Professor McWha said. “When we announced the acquisition in February, we said a major objective was to engage Adelaidians and provide them the opportunity to explore one of the city’s true icons,” Mr Szolga said. “Since opening the centre to the public in September, we have received fantastic support from the people of Adelaide. This has prompted us to extend free entry through the summer holiday period giving people the opportunity to visit the centre.” Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha at the National Wine Centre Photo by David Ellis indefinite free entry. In October more than 5000 people visited the centre. In February this year the university agreed to lease the National Wine Centre for $1 million for 40 years from the South Australian Government. The university moved into the wine centre on September 1. Visitation to the wine centre has significantly increased since September and Mr Szolga said consideration is being given to 2 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Students already winning from racing car competition University of Adelaide students are revving up for an international car design and racing competition. An Adelaide team involving third-year Mechanical Engineering students will compete in this year’s Formula SAE-A competition, being held from December 4-7. The competition pits students from around the world against each other in the design, construction and racing of their own formula-style, open-wheeled racing cars. Formula SAE member Donny Pascale with President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Australia Tom Philips Photo by Ben Osborne Hosted by Mitsubishi Motors Australia, the competition will be held at the company’s Tailem Bend testing site. Teams from 21 universities from Australia, the United States, Germany, Sweden and Japan will compete for honours at the event. The official launch of this year’s Formula SAE-A competition was held last month at the University of Adelaide. Speaking at the launch, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Australia Tom Philips said the competition gave Australian car makers the opportunity to see the best engineering talent in Australia. “Mitsubishi has a strong belief in the value of education and hands-on experience,” Mr Philips said. “These are outcomes we believe students should be exposed to at university. “Formula SAE gives Mitsubishi and other representatives from the automotive industry the opportunity to spread our contribution over a large number of enthusiastic students. been held in Australia, and the first time in South Australia. Executive Director of SAE Australasia Stuart Charity said the studentdesigned cars are judged in a range of categories, including design, fuel economy and endurance. “All future employers benefit from Formula SAE being the catalyst which exposes those students with the ability and the passion to succeed.” “Students working on these vehicles represent the leaders of the next generation of engineers that will help guide and shape the future of Australia’s car industry,” Mr Charity said. Formula SAE gets its name from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which began in the United States in 1980. The SAE-A competition represents the Australasian arm of the Society. This is the fourth year the competition has “Formula SAE offers young engineers the opportunity to work on a meaningful, complex engineering project in a dedicated team environment.” The university now has enough space to accommodate 200 students in wine sensory evaluation classes, and the centre’s Busby Hall has already been used for this purpose. The University of Adelaide currently offers 20 wine-related courses, and more than 780 students, including 30 international students, were enrolled last year. There are undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The wine centre will continue to cater to special events and conferences. Story by Howard Salkow 3 Students manage the entire project, including scheduling, budgeting, fundraising and cost control, sourcing equipment, materials and components, manufacturing and testing. The University of Adelaide is the only South Australian university to have a team in this year’s event. The Adelaide team faces tough competition from Rochester Institute of Technology, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Auburn University from the US, Chalmers University from Sweden and Tokyo Denkai University from Japan, among others. Around 400 students and 150 volunteers are involved this year. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 China’s chief scientist opens lab in Adelaide China’s most senior scientist has opened a new soil environment laboratory during his visit to the University of Adelaide. The new laboratory of Soil Biology/ Soil Environmental Science has been jointly established between the University of Adelaide and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with a new lab at the university’s Waite Campus and its “twin” at the Chinese Academy’s Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences in Beijing. It is the first joint facility of its kind between China and Australia. The President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Lu Yongxiang, headed a delegation to Australia last month. Professor Lu, who is also a Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (the highest organ of State power of the People’s Republic of China), officially opened the new laboratory at the Plant Research Centre, Waite Campus. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Talented pianist wins Galliver award Student pianist Michael Ierace was the major winner in this year’s prestigious David Galliver Memorial Awards. The awards, held as the final Elder School of Music Lunch Hour Concert for 2003, are given to honour the memory of Professor David Galliver, who served as the fifth Elder Professor of Music between 1966 and 1983, and who died in 2001. Professor Lu speaking at the official launch of the new laboratory Photo by David Ellis A third-year Bachelor of Music (Performance) student, Ierace was chosen ahead of three other Bachelor of Music students, and received $1200. The launch was attended by senior managers and scientists from the University of Adelaide and its collaborating partners, and several key guests including South Australian Environment Minister Mr John Hill. “Our soil scientists are working on several key research projects that are of major interest to our countries’ agricultural industries, as well as moves to improve the overall environmental condition of our soils,” she said. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the University of Adelaide was extremely pleased to welcome Professor Lu and his delegation. During his visit to the University of Adelaide Professor Lu toured facilities at the Waite Campus, and he and members of his delegation also learnt more about the university’s research capabilities in nanotechnology and molecular biosciences at the North Terrace Campus. “Professor Lu’s visit is indicative of the closer research links between the university and the Chinese Academy that will result in significant gains in environmental research of benefit to both Australia and China. Professor Lu gave a well-attended free public lecture, in which he explored the Chinese Academy’s role in the development of science and technology in China. Professor Lu said he was impressed with the quality of the facilities at the University of Adelaide and by the potential for further collaboration across a range of disciplines. “Australia and China are facing similar changes in our environments, and research that is conducted in both our countries can have many potential benefits not just for us but also for the AsiaPacific region,” Professor Lu said. Story by David Ellis Honorary professorship awarded China’s most senior scientist has been awarded the title of Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Adelaide. “The title is in recognition of his international contributions to the sciences and to the academic life of the University of Adelaide through the promotion of greater friendship and collaboration between our Faculty of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “We look forward to many years of association between Professor Lu and the university, and we are keen to explore new partnerships and research initiatives with China. “We are honoured that Professor Lu has been able to visit the University of Adelaide this month to build upon the links that have already been established between our two institutions.” The title was formally bestowed upon Professor Lu Yongxiang (pictured, right) during his visit to the University of Adelaide last month. “The award of this title to Professor Lu recognises the important association between the University of Adelaide and the Chinese Academy of Sciences,” the university’s Chancellor, Mr Robert Champion de Crespigny (left), said. 4 Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 For the final, he gave impressive renditions of Ravel’s “Ondine”, from Gaspard de la Nuit and Rachmaninov’s Prelude in B flat (Opus 23, Number 2). Second place in the awards went to third-year marimba player Paul Butler, who performed Zivkovic’s Ultimatum I for Solo Marimba (Op 24 No 1). The other two finalists were thirdyear flautist Alex Castle, who performed the third movement from Ibert’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra and the fourth movement from Muczynski’s Sonata for Flute and Piano (Op 14); and soprano Jessica Dean, who performed Fauré’s Mandoline (Op 58, No 1), Handel’s “E pur così and Piangerò la sorte mia” from Julius Caesar and Schubert’s Die Männer sind mechant. A new series of Elder Hall Lunch Hour Concerts will begin on Friday, March 19, 2004. Michael Ierace performing at the David Galliver Memorial Awards Photo by Chris Koch Macquarie Trio The Adelaidean is giving away a quartet of double-passes to see the Macquarie Trio! The Macquarie Trio Australia has announced its 2004 Adelaide subscription season, and you can help them celebrate by winning two tickets to each Adelaide concert. In 2004 the Trio—comprising Kathryn Selby (piano), Nicholas Milton (violin) and Michael Goldschlager (cello)—will have four subscription concerts in Adelaide, all at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Hall. One lucky reader has the chance to win a double pass to each Adelaide concert. In total, the double-passes are valued at more than $260, which makes them ideal as a gift for the musically minded this Christmas. The four Adelaide concerts next year are: 2.30pm Sunday, May 30 From Here to Eternity (Beethoven, Granados and Messiaen) with special guest artist Paul Dean on clarinet 2.30pm Sunday, August 1 The Power of Three (Sibelius, Beethoven and Dvorák) 2.30pm Sunday, September 26 First Impressions (Schumann, Korngold and Fauré) with special guest artist Brett Dean on viola 2.30pm Sunday, November 21 Youthful Masters (Mozart, Kats-Chernin and Schubert) 5 To win the double-passes to each of these concerts, be the first to call Adelaidean editor David Ellis on (08) 8303 3173 and leave your name and details. www.macquarietrio.com.au Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Olivia’s a model student with a taste for gastronomy ‘‘ Guy Sebastian is not only an outstanding performer, he is a very intelligent musician. ’’ Why Guy’s our idol story continued from page 1 “The event that brought his talent to the attention of myself and the other students in our theory class was when, towards the end of the first semester, I asked the students to give a short presentation on a piece of music of their choice, and to talk about the way the tune ‘worked’—a reasonably ambitious, but intentionally thoughtprovoking ask. “Guy volunteered to go first, sat at the grand piano, and proceeded to sing a tune by NSync to his own piano playing. We were all amazed— I didn’t even know he could sing, let alone that well. “It wasn’t simply the beauty of his voice that touched us all (and it really did) but the perceptive way that he then explained what was going on in the music—the light and shade, tension and release, the lyric curve and the form. It was immediately apparent that Guy had an innate understanding of pop music, that special something that allows truly great performers to bring a song to life. “Every time I watched him on Idol I saw and heard that understanding,” Dr Carroll said. “I gave him 100% for his presentation—not something I do lightly, but it was simply so far over and above what you would expect in that sort of situation that I had no choice, I’m happy to say. Professor Bodman Rae said the Certificate IV program in Music Technology was an interesting choice for a student who would go on to win the hearts of millions of Australians. “This is a program with strong vocational relevance for budding singer-songwriters—because these days popular songs tend to be composed (and often performed) with the aid of computers and soundsynthesis equipment,” he said. “Not long after that the Idol roller coaster started and we lost touch (although he asked one of the other students to thank me for the mark). But we, the whole class, still remember that day.” The Dean of the Elder School of Music, Professor Charles Bodman Rae, said he and many others at the university were proud of Guy’s achievement. “We hope that Guy will continue to build on the inclinations he has already shown and perhaps write his own material. He has all the talents to do so and make his success a longlasting one.” “Staff and students of the Elder School of Music have been following Guy Sebastian’s remarkable progress through all the different stages of the Australian Idol competition—and barracking for him,” Professor Bodman Rae said. There’s little question that Guy thoroughly deserved to win the Australian Idol competition, with his combination of personality, unique looks (go the ’fro!) and great talent. “Guy’s undoubted charm shone through all the stages of the competition, even under the harsh spotlight of ever-present TV cameras,” Professor Bodman Rae said. “It is heartening to see that his outstanding talent has been recognised, and with such huge media exposure. Guy Sebastian is not only an outstanding performer, he is a very intelligent musician. In fact, his performances demonstrated this,” he said. “It is great that his talent has been identified and that it will be 6 developed. But his achievement is really the tip of an iceberg. “There are many very talented musicians around Australia—in both the classical and popular fields—and we are fortunate to have a lot of them here, in Adelaide. The lesson, I suppose, is that talents need careful nurturing and channelling. Olivia Stratton studying in the Barr Smith Library’s Reading Room Photo by Ben Osborne “Guy will undoubtedly be an inspiration to a new generation of talented young people who will realise that ‘nice guys’ really can win!” While it is uncertain whether Guy will continue with his studies at the Elder School of Music now that he has shot to national stardom, there’s little doubt that he will always be fondly remembered at the university. And who knows, returning to study someday is always an option further down the track for Guy. After all, Australian Idol judge and former pop star Mark Holden began his studies in Law at the University of Adelaide in the 1970s, and later graduated in 2001! The University of Adelaide’s unique Master of Gastronomy program usually brings food lovers from across the globe to South Australia. But now, local student Olivia Stratton is taking Adelaide to the world. The 22-year-old, who has also been a professional model since 1997, is currently in China as Australia’s entrant in the final of the Miss World 2003 competition. Earlier this year, she was chosen as Miss World Australia ahead of 31 other contestants at the national finals held on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Fluent in German as well as English, Olivia began her Master of Gastronomy course earlier this year after previously studying hotel management courses through Le Cordon Bleu (which also presents the Master of Gastronomy together with the University of Adelaide) and the Swiss Hotel Association. She said she had thoroughly enjoyed the course so far, after wanting to do it for the past three years. “We have world-class produce here, and the University of Adelaide has a world-class lecturer in Barbara Santich. “It’s been very demanding and challenging, but I have loved it,” she said. “I have also been impressed with the international flavour of the course, with most students coming from overseas. They have quite varying career backgrounds, ages and beliefs, and I have learnt a lot just in my interactions with them.” “I can see why Adelaide and South Australia were chosen to host this course, because it is the gastronomic gateway to the world. Story by David Ellis and Ben Osborne 7 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 No comma, less comprehension says psychology graduate It’s easy to overlook commas when it comes to punctuation. They aren’t expressive like exclamation marks or question marks, and they don’t bring closure, like full stops. Some people argue that commas should be used sparingly, if at all. “I found that commas present an achievable and reliable way of assisting people’s reading ability. They simplify the text and are a powerful influence on how sentences are processed. But commas are important and need to be utilised, according to University of Adelaide PhD graduate Dr Ben Grindlay, who looked at how they affect reading performance for his thesis. “In direct contradiction to the school of thought that less is best when punctuation is concerned, I found that strict adherence to a minimal style of punctuation (where optional commas are excluded) does not necessarily equate to enhanced reading. Dr Grindlay, who graduated earlier this year and is now working in the DSTO’s Information Networks Division, completed his PhD through the Department of Psychology under the supervision of Senior Lecturer Dr Peter Delin. He found that commas, rather than being an unnecessary distraction, actually aid reading—and that less commas aren’t necessarily better. “Punctuation is one of the most important reading devices: after the development of the alphabet, it’s considered as the primary development in the history of writing,” he said. “For my thesis I measured people’s reading speed and comprehension to find out how effective punctuation is, and in particular how effective the comma is. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Chess masters make a move for national championship International Grandmasters and other top chess players from Australia and overseas will converge on Adelaide this month to compete in the nation’s biggest chess tournament. “Indeed such a minimalist style could be viewed as quite limiting, particularly in sophisticated and aesthetic forms of writing.” Two members of the University of Adelaide Chess Club—Associate Lecturer in Applied Mathematics Robin Wedding (left) and Chess Club president Andrew Saint, a student in Chemical Engineering and Science—get into the spirit of this month’s national championship. Robin and Andrew are among the organisers of the summer chess festival. Photo by David Ellis PhD graduate Dr Ben Grindlay Dr Grindlay said while reading appears to be a relatively straightforward task, it is much more involved than most people realise. “For a sentence to make sense, there has to be a combination of those three things and the better the reader, the quicker it all occurs.” “For a skilled reader, reading typically appears to be a cohesive and immediate process—you read the words on the page and they make sense,” he said. Punctuation is the main “visible feature” which gives visual clues to the reader as to how a sentence is to be comprehended. For good readers punctuation, and in particular the comma, does make reading more efficient. “When you break it down, reading is much more than that. You have to recognise all the words, and then process the interaction between the words so a sentence is formed, and then process any other visible features of a sentence. “What I found, in simple terms, was that the more skilled the reader, the more benefit they drew from having commas and other punctuation in the text they were reading,” he said. “They were able to understand what they were reading more quickly and with less effort. “For less-skilled readers, punctuation is still helpful, but just not as helpful as it is for skilled readers. Less-skilled readers take that little bit longer to comprehend their sentences and so punctuation has less impact on their ability to read efficiently.” Story by Ben Osborne The tournament is part of a chess festival being held in Adelaide during December and January. The festival not only includes the championship as the main event, but also an exhibition match that will see of one of the world’s best chess players blindfolded while playing five simultaneous games against other players! The 2003/2004 Lidums Adelaide University Australian Chess Championship will be held at the University of Adelaide from December 29 to January 10. With prizes totalling more than $14,000, the tournament has already drawn two Australian Grandmasters—Australia’s top chess player Ian Rogers (the first ever Grandmaster in the South-East Asian region) and Darryl Johansen —and five International Masters, including South Australia’s top player, Mark Chapman. MortgageReducingSpecialists •MIAAmember •debtconsolidation •residential&investmentpropertypurchase •re-financingorchangeofloan •budgeting Grandmaster Ian Rogers has not competed in a championship in his home country for the past six years, and this is the first time in more than 20 years that Adelaide has hosted the national championships. Forafreeno-obligationconsultationcontact Shaneon81771334or0419674136 8 Adelaide won the right to host the biennial championship following the ongoing success of the annual University Open Chess Tournament, organised by members of the University of Adelaide’s Chess Club and with support from the SA Chess Association. The championship will be held at the North Terrace Campus in the Eclipse and other function rooms in the Union Building. Other chess events will also be held around Adelaide before, during and after the championship. These include the blindfold exhibition by Grandmaster Ian Rogers in Rundle Mall, public events at Glenelg as part of the Bay Sports Festival, and public lectures to be held at the University of Adelaide by Ian Rogers and Darryl Johansen. “We will have 200 top chess players in the championship, plus reserves and seniors competitions, and we’re expecting around 200 spectators from the public to see what all the excitement of competitive chess is about,” said 9 George Howard, President of the SA Chess Association and President of the Australian Chess Federation. “Adelaide is a perfect venue for a chess festival of this nature, and the top players have been so keen to take part that many of them are foregoing lucrative professional games in Europe just for this event. “Chess has many benefits for the public, especially children as it helps to develop their spatial understanding and works the same part of the brain that is involved in music and mathematics. Chess has also proven to help delay the onset of dementia. “Not only that, but it’s enormous fun, as the people of Adelaide will get a chance to see later this month.” For more information about the summer chess festival, visit the Adelaide University Chess Club website: www.unichess.org Story by David Ellis Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Concern over killer lung disease levels among smokers “More than half a million Australians are estimated to have moderate to severe disease and this is expected to increase significantly with the aging population and continuing high rates of smoking. A new model for the diagnosis and management of chronic lung disease as a result of smoking is needed for general practitioners, according to a University of Adelaide academic. Professor Justin Beilby, Head of the university’s Department of General Practice, was responding to recent figures showing a significant underdiagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among smokers and ex-smokers. The Australian Lung Foundation in partnership with the Department of General Practice has found that one in four smokers and exsmokers suffer from early COPD, raising concerns about the underreporting of this disease, which can significantly affect the quality of “Obviously, encouraging smoking cessation among patients is the first step to reduce the incidence of COPD. “However, if COPD is diagnosed, appropriate drug therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation can significantly improve patient quality of life and future management of the condition,” he said. sufferers’ lives and lead to death. effective way to confirm the presence of airflow limitation.” Professor Beilby said the results were concerning. Professor Beilby said the seriousness of COPD and the need for better diagnosis and management should not be underestimated. “Greater awareness of COPD is needed in general practice,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges will be to create a model where GPs can efficiently use spirometry testing [a lung function test]—the only “In Australia, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in men and sixth in women,” he said. More information about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be found at the Australian Lung Foundation website: www.alf.org.au World-class drug and alcohol research centre opens Adelaide is to become the leading site for the coordination of drug and alcohol research and training in the Asia-Pacific. A new World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research in Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Problems has been opened at the University of Adelaide. in research, health care delivery and policy development. He has acted as a consultant to the WHO and the United Nations Drug Control Program. The WHO Centre is a joint effort between the University of Adelaide and South Australia’s Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC). The Director of the new WHO Collaborating Centre is Associate Professor Robert Ali, who is also Director of Clinical Policy and Research for DASC. The Chairperson of the National Expert Committee on Illicit Drugs, Associate Professor Ali is an expert on the health implications of cannabis use and has been extensively involved in the implementation and management of needle exchange programs and the establishment of state-wide public and private methadone programs. Associate Professor Ali has been involved in numerous national and international forums on substance use and has an extensive background The launch of the new WHO Collaborating Centre was conducted by South Australian Health Minister Lea Stevens. “This is a very exciting development which will make Adelaide a national and international focus in the field,” Ms Stevens said. “The new centre is the first in Australia to develop culturally specific programs that can be adapted for overseas. They are already working in partnership with service providers from Indonesia, Thailand and China to develop new programs. “Having this facility in Adelaide means we’ll be a drawcard for recruiting and retaining the best drug and alcohol workers, as well as exporting our knowledge overseas. “It also means more effective and timely services for those dealing with a substance abuse problem.” Alcohol and drug workers and their clients would benefit from research trials and the implementation of advances in treatment, Ms Stevens said. $11 million boost for medical research The University of Adelaide has again received major national recognition for the quality of its research, this time for medical science and dentistry. Thirty-one new grants have been awarded to the university by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), with funding in excess of $11 million. This includes major research projects that have the potential to make a significant impact on the future health and wellbeing of the community, as well as Fellowships and Career Development grants awarded to key staff. The total NHMRC funding announced is $11,033,625 over three years. Among the projects funded are: 10 • $682,500 over three years for a major national survey of adult oral health (Dental Statistics & Research Unit) “This latest announcement is an extremely positive one for the University of Adelaide and the wider community,” said the Deputy ViceChancellor (Research), Professor Edwina Cornish. • $498,250 over three years for a study into stem cell function (School of Molecular & Biomedical Science) • $556,750 over three years for research into systematic asthma care (Department of General Practice) When added to the recent announcement of $10.7 million in funding from the Australian Research Council, “Adelaide continues to show that it is widely recognised as a national leader in quality research”. • $455,250 over three years to study factors involved in prostate cancer (Department of Medicine) “Importantly, the projects funded from the NHMRC can have a direct impact on many people’s lives 11 because they aim to improve our understanding of health and disease, and the ways in which disease can be treated or prevented. “Adelaide already has a strong reputation for research and innovation in the medical, dental and biomedical fields, and that reputation will continue to grow with this new funding,” Professor Cornish said. The projects funded in the latest NHMRC round have been awarded to researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Sciences, and their research partners. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Top teachers recognised with awards for excellence Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Wheat crop has added health benefits Wheat, a major Australian crop, may benefit our health even more when supplemented with selenium. “Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human and animal health with antioxidant, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects,” said Graham Lyons, a PhD student from the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture and Wine. This year’s Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes for Excellence in Teaching have gone to two academics in diverse fields. Dr Samer Akkach is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, and is also the Founding Director of the Centre for Asian and Middle Eastern Architecture. Mr Lyons is investigating the importance of selenium in plant growth and development, and methods of increasing its concentration in wheat grain. Dr Anna Chur-Hansen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Levels of soil selenium vary in distribution and availability to plants on a world-wide scale. Seleniumdeficient soils are widespread in Siberia and north-east to south central China, and in New Zealand. Prior to selenium fertilisation of crops from 1984, soils in Finland were also deficient. g Dr Sammer Akkach A talented artist and designer, Dr Akkach fell into studying architecture by virtue of his school marks in native Damascus, Syria. His love for teaching and assisting students master the subject later took precedence over private practice and he now says he would not have it any other way. Dr Anna Chur-Hansen and Dr Samer Akkach represent two of the very best among the University of Adelaide’s many fine academic teaching staff Photo by Howard Salkow Although fully recovered from his first “frightening” encounter in a packed lecture theatre and “that awful dry-mouth sensation”, he has never forgotten the experience of some 10 years ago. “It was a daunting feeling and one you have to experience to fully understand. But it stood me in good stead and over the past 10 years I have improved the content, found new ways to make lectures enjoyable and ensured accessibility to my students,” he said. Such is his popularity, a final lecture once ended in resounding applause from the class. “I strive for excellence and try to maintain the highest standard. “But more importantly, I encourage the students to engage themselves. I advise the first-year students that innocence is valuable as is their first expression. They respect this and it encourages them to challenge me,” said Dr Akkach, who firmly believes there is no such thing as a dumb question. Before turning to full-time academia, Dr Akkach practiced as an architect in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Sydney and Adelaide. In 1995 he began work on the design and construction of his residence. “In this project I attempted to explore the limits of expressing one’s own cultural identity in a foreign context. “The design draws on the tension between longing and belonging and the emerging identity in the search for meaning. The design and its theme were the focus of an honours research project, several model-making and graphic communication exercises, and has continued to attract students’ attention,” he said. Additionally, she is currently consolidating her clinical skills with a placement at the university’s Counselling Centre. Thus, teaching is the basis of her academic role, her research and her professional practice. g Dr Anna Chur-Hansen “I have never forgotten what it’s like to be a student and as a lecturer I try put myself in their shoes and do my best to meet their needs,” Dr Chur-Hansen said. Dr Chur-Hansen is a psychologist who has worked in the university’s Department of Psychiatry since 1987, after beginning her teaching career two years earlier in the Department of Psychology, where she was a demonstrator for practical classes. “It is easy to forget how daunting it is to be at university, and I am cognizant that students need support and a friendly and approachable face. It is entirely possible to feel anonymous and isolated at an institution like this, and that has a negative impact on learning, in my view. Interested in seeing things from multiple perspectives, Dr Chur-Hansen has made teaching part of her research. In fact the title of her PhD thesis was “An investigation of the English language proficiency and academic and clinical performance of University of Adelaide medical school undergraduates”, and she has published a number of papers in the area of medical education. “Besides making myself accessible, I subscribe to formative assessment when it comes to marking papers. I aim to talk to students on a one-to-one basis about their work, and provide them with guidance about how they might improve. Students need to understand why they received a certain mark and where their strengths and weaknesses lie,” she said. 12 Story by Howard Salkow Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 In Australia, areas at risk of selenium deficiency include the east coastal regions of Queensland and New South Wales, south west coast of Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island. In regions where total soil selenium levels appear adequate, selenium may be unavailable to plants because of insoluble compounds forming between it and other soil components. “Reduction in cancer prevention requires a supra-nutritional selenium intake, but in some regions selenium is declining in the food chain, and new strategies are required to increase its intake,” said Mr Lyons. To improve accumulation of selenium in plants, use of high selenium fertilisers, or a plant breeding approach could be utilised. Although application of fertiliser has been shown to improve soil selenium levels, breeding a high selenium wheat will facilitate retention of this trait, generation after generation. This self-sustainable approach is preferable to the continual purchase of selenium-containing fertilisers. The overall benefits for consumers in Australia and overseas were potentially great, Mr Lyons said. “Increasing the selenium content of wheat represents a food systems approach that would increase population intake, with consequent likely improvement in public health and health cost savings.” Story by Dr Stephanie Agius PhD student Graham Lyons inspects a selenium-bearing wheat crop Prominent Australian winemaker honoured An oenologist who has played a major role in the development of Australia’s burgeoning wine industry is the winner of the 2003 Award of Merit from the Roseworthy Old Collegians’ Association (ROCA). Philip Laffer was presented with his award by ROCA president Wilf Bowen at the association’s annual dinner last month. Mr Laffer, the chief winemaker with the OrlandoWyndham group, graduated from Roseworthy in 1961 with a Diploma of Agriculture then studied Oenology, graduating in 1963. “Phil Laffer’s contribution has impacted across the whole wine industry—from vineyard practices and wine making procedures to quality standards, quality control and marketing,” Mr Bowen said. “He recognised the importance of the market chain sooner than most and has devoted substantial time into the coordination of grape production and market practices which meet consumer expectation. “Phil has shuttled between Australia and North America, Japan and Europe, enhancing and expanding Australia’s wine export drive. “One of the major results of this is that the Jacob’s Creek range is the biggest selling Australian wine label in the world.” 13 Mr Bowen said Mr Laffer’s energies and expertise had also been utilised by many wine industry groups including research organisations, industry representation groups and government advisory groups. At all times his focus has been on achieving practical outcomes to benefit the wine industry. “Phil is a significant face for the Australian wine industry at home and abroad,” Mr Bowen said, “and in 2002 he was named Australia’s Winemaker of the Year. “His outstanding achievements reflect the high standard maintained over the years by fellow alumni who have been awarded ROCA’s highest honour.” Philip’s father, Len Laffer, (BAgSc 1934) was the recipient of the ROCA Award of Merit in 1976. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Stem cell researcher wins Young Investigator of the Year A young researcher whose work may eventually help to save lives of people with fatal blood disorders—such as leukemia—has become the 2003 Young Investigator of the Year. The award is a joint initiative of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital and the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Health Sciences. It recognises the best in science and science communication among young researchers studying women’s, children’s or young people’s health. His research looks at a novel way of producing stem cells, by using blood from umbilical cords. “Blood from umbilical cords is an excellent source of blood stem cells, which can be used in lifesaving transplantation for small children with leukemia or inherited diseases,” Jonathan said. His research has found that a special family of proteins is produced by these cord blood stem cells, which helps the stem cells to grow in culture. This means that cord blood stem cells could eventually be harvested in large quantities in a laboratory environment. “This research will increase our understanding of blood cell production and is important for development of therapies using cord blood,” he said. Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Hot flowers – sexy rewards Floral temperatures are heating up beetles in more ways than one according to new research at the University of Adelaide. Jonathon Hutton from the Child Health Research Institute is the winner of this year’s Young Investigator Award. Jonathan’s work has earned him first prize of $1000 plus the BioInnovation SA Conference Prize of $1500. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Jonathon Hutton speaking at the YIA final Photo by David Ellis Jonathan said his participation in the Young Investigator Award, which involved rigorous judging of the quality of his science plus scrutiny by a panel of media judges, had been “very exciting”. “It’s a great experience [for the finalists] to present our work in this context,” he said, referring to the final stage: the presentation of the finalists’ work to the public and the media judges. “It’s important to be able to communicate our research to the general public. I think it’s very important to communicate it effectively so that people understand what our science is all about and how it can potentially impact on their lives.” The runners up for this year’s award were John Bromfield and Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, both from the University of Adelaide’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. The 2003 Young Investigator Award is sponsored by: WCH Foundation (silver sponsor), University of Adelaide, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, BioInnovation SA and Collison & Co (bronze sponsors), Child Health Research Institute, Bone Growth Foundation and Invitrogen life technologies (sponsors), and Channel 9 (media sponsor). www.health.adelaide.edu.au/yia2003/ Professor Roger Seymour, from the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, has investigated how raised floral temperatures in arum lilies not only attracts beetles into the floral chamber but also enables a frenzied period of feeding and mating. Heat generated by these arum lilies causes odiferous compounds to be released into the air attracting insect pollinators, but there has been no explanation why heating continues while the insect remains inside the lily overnight, instead of during the attraction period alone. The lily creates a warm microclimate for the beetles that facilitates their activity at what is believed to be a fraction of the energy cost that would be required outside of the flower. “Many insects require a raised body temperature for activity which they achieve by metabolically producing their own heat. Professor Seymour’s research into this area has resulted in yet another of his papers being published in the journal Nature. “Self-heating flowers occur in several diverse families of primitive flowering plants in which female parts are pollinated first after which pollen is shed,” Professor Seymour said. “Partly because insects are small, increases in metabolic rate can be enormous, for example, it increases up to 16-fold in terrestrially active beetles.” A warm floral chamber may be considered an energy reward for insect pollinators, allowing feeding and mating at a reduced energy cost to the insect, he said. Beetles get to work inside the hot and friendly environment of an arum lily Photo courtesy of Professor Roger Seymour Story by Dr Stephanie Agius PUBLIC FORUM Take home an adventure! 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Monday 8 December Stamford Plaza, 150 North Terrace New lift to offer better access A new external lift will be constructed next year, to improve access between the upper and lower levels of the North Terrace Campus. The lift will be located on the eastern side of the Plaza Building, as a freestanding structure with bridges across to the Plaza and University Club buildings. Looking for an early present before Christmas? Sponsored by The Adelaidean has three copies of the latest book by Australian adventurer Ben Kozel to give away. The lift car and shaft will be glazed, allowing views of the campus. Construction is expected to begin early in 2004, and will take about five months to complete. For more information call Trevor Dunne from Campus Development on (08) 8303 4673. 14 Five Months In A Leaky Boat is the second book by Kozel (a Science graduate from the University of Adelaide), detailing his trek down the Yenisey River to the Arctic Ocean. THE NEIGHBOURS PROGRAM Getting To Know Our Neighbours Leaders of major community organisations in Australia and Indonesia discuss opportunities and challenges for strengthening interaction and understanding. Speakers include the Dunstan Fellows for 2003, Professor Julian Disney AO, University of New South Wales, Sharan Burrow, President ACTU, Don Henry, Executive Director, Australian Conservation Foundation and Louise Sylvan, Former Chief Executive Officer, Australian Consumers Association. Cost: $10. Free for concession card holders. Bookings essential due to limited seating. A thrilling and fascinating read about lands rarely seen by Western eyes, Five Months In A Leaky Boat is published by Pan Macmillan and retails for $30. To win one of three free copies, be among the first to call Adelaidean editor David Ellis on (08) 8303 3173 and leave your name and details. Phone Josie on 8303 3364 15 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Love of sport vaults Jennifer to success Adelaide link brings benefits to Indonesian schools An Adelaide student is already making a name for herself as a global achiever. Children in Indonesia are gaining from a program that aims to improve school management and basic education. Twenty-year-old Commerce and Law student Jennifer Lovell has added another major achievement to an already impressive resume by being named South Australian CA Global Achiever by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA). Ms Lovell, who is in the final year of her Commerce degree and in second year Law, will receive two weeks paid work experience with UK-based BDO Chartered Accountants and Advisers, and will meet with international chartered accountants to experience life as a leading business adviser. She is expected to leave in February for the UK. “This is not only a tremendous honour, but I am also indebted to the ICAA for affording such an opportunity,” Ms Lovell said. “The experience will be invaluable and I’m sure it will stand me in good stead in my career.” Funded by a loan from the Asian Development Bank to the Government of Indonesia, the project, known as the Decentralized Basic Education Project (DBEP), aims to improve poor children’s access to quality basic education. CA Global Achiever winners are selected on a combination of academic results, extra curricular activities and two rounds of interviews, with judges from the ICAA and participating chartered accounting organisations. A talented sportswoman, Ms Lovell excelled as a pole-vaulter while at Seymour College. In 1998, she was the Australian Under-16 record holder and the following year won selection to the Australian Under18 athletics team. She finished ninth in the final of the World Youth Games in 1999. One of those playing a major role in the implementation of the project has been Associate Professor Bob Cannon, former Director of the University of Adelaide’s Advisory Centre for University Education (now the Learning & Teaching Development Unit) and Visiting Associate Professor in International Education. Commerce/Law student Jennifer Lovell Photo by Howard Salkow awarded an Australian Sports Medal for her contribution and excellence to athletics. In 1998-2000 she was a South Australian Sports Institute scholarship holder and in 2000 was “My love for sport provided an ideal platform from which to grow and expand my horizons. It is an excellent way to grow up and has contributed to my disciplined outlook on life,” she said. Story by Howard Salkow The Law School’s Internship Program continues to grow, and next year seven law students will undertake human rights internships both nationally and internationally. Elise Edson is heading to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nepal, Yasmine Ahmed and Hannah Tonkin are going to the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague, Mary Hackett-Jones and Sarah Attar are both going to UNHCR in Cairo, and Jaymie-Louise MacIntyre to UNHCR in Canberra. DBEP is regarded as a ‘flagship’ project by the government, Dr Cannon said. The project supports poor schools and communities in the Provinces of Bali, and in Nusa Tengarra Barat (NTB) of which the largest islands are Lombok and Sumbawa. “There is a strong possibility that DBEP will be extended into other poor areas and intensified in Bali and NTB to permit the participation of more poor schools, some of which have emerged as a direct flow-on effect of the Bali bombings tragedy,” Dr Cannon said. News in Brief Human rights internships Dr Cannon is the Australian Team Leader for consulting services being delivered by IDP Education Australia and associated firms to the DBEP scheme. The human rights internships offer an amazing, rewarding and challenging experience for Adelaide’s law students. issues, the political dynamics of the negotiating environment and the opportunities and challenges presented to businesses by the globalised economy. Trade course info evening The course is being offered by the University’s Institute for International Business, Economics and Law. To reserve a place at the information session, phone (08) 8303 6944. An information session about the University of Adelaide’s new Professional Certificate in International Trade will be held at 5.15pm on Monday, December 8. AFUW grants benefit students To be launched in March next year, the Professional Certificate will provide students with a practical understanding of current international trade and investment The Australian Federation of University Women – SA Inc. Trust Fund has awarded bursaries and grants totalling more than $23,000 to 16 University of Adelaide students this year. The AFUW is a not-for-profit organisation that raises money by hiring graduation gowns and hoods. The money raised goes back into education in the form of grants to support talented students. The majority of this year’s awards include support for postgraduate students undertaking degrees by research and coursework in a range of fields, with other awards for talented undergrad students in Dentistry and Maths & Computer Science. Dr Cannon, who is based in the Ministry of National Education in Jakarta, leads a team of 120 Indonesian consultants and support staff, most of whom are located in eight Districts in Bali and NTB. These field workers help school staff and local communities to prepare a School Development Plan, which helps to determine priorities and needs in areas such as rehabilitation of buildings and infrastructure, and development of scholarships to support the poorest children. The second part of their work is to help schools to implement their plans and to monitor progress and outcomes. More than 3100 state, Islamic and private primary and junior secondary schools are expected to have participated in DBEP by the time all phases of the project are completed. Dr Cannon said that to be able to work on such a large and nationally significant project was a wonderful late-career opportunity that has permitted the use of all his previous learning and experience across education sectors in Indonesia: administration, cross-cultural communication and quality improvement processes. It has also presented challenges and significant professional rewards. “One of these rewards is witnessing first hand the very positive changes in energy and commitment among the Indonesian professional classes now released from the stifling top-down direction and controls that typified the ‘New Order’ regime of former President Suharto,” he said. 17 Some of the warmth and colour in an Islamic primary school in Mataram, Lombok, on a Friday morning, “when children come to school decked out in their best attire”, says Associate Professor Bob Cannon “Another reward is to simply visit schools and mix with the children and teachers who are always overwhelming in the genuine warmth of their welcome. As a teacher, I’m often alarmed by the cheering and disruption to classes that usually accompanies a school visit. However, it’s a marvellous antidote to the stresses of living in Jakarta with its congestion, pollution and everpresent threat of terrorist attack.” Dr Cannon will return to Adelaide next year when the first phase of his inputs to DBEP comes to an end. He plans to return to Indonesia at regular intervals over the coming four years to provide further leadership and supervision to the project. Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Alumni News New alumni director to build relationships New York City launch for US alumni network! The inaugural gathering of University of Adelaide alumni and friends based in the United States of America was held last month in New York City. Thirty years on, the mystery solved Some secrets are never revealed, but the mystery of how an FJ Holden became suspended underneath the University Footbridge is finally out after more than 30 years. Graduates from 1972 and 1973 gathered last month at the Adelaide Festival Centre to rekindle friendships and to catch up on 30 years since graduating from the University of Adelaide. Anne Gribbin is excited and passionate about her new job. She started as Director, Alumni, Community Relations and Development last month and, after fighting off a serious bout of hay fever in her first week in Adelaide, is ready to meet the demands her complex and important role brings. “I see my role as an integrated one which has the scope to build on the existing relationships and goodwill the university has built up, and also to develop new partnerships with individuals, business and the community,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to being part of, and contributing to, a university community which has a special uniqueness,” she said. “To do that I will firstly have to listen to and observe the culture, traditions and the Adelaide way of doing things. It’s also vital to understand the needs of the university, and also the needs and expectations of the entire university community.” “The University of Adelaide is grounded in tradition, heritage and excellence in a variety of disciplines, yet it uses such qualities to challenge existing ideas and to progress.” Ms Gribbin has a background in senior management roles in university, corporate and not-forprofit organisations throughout Australia. Her last position was based in Rockhampton as Chief Executive of the Central Queensland Foundation, and she has also worked for the Smorgon Family, the Alfred Hospital and the St James Ethics Centre. John Brady and Cathie Maywald Ken Allen and Professor James McWha The event was hosted by ViceChancellor Professor James McWha and the Australian Consul-General in New York, the Honourable Kenneth Allen, an Economics graduate of the University of Adelaide. and friends and I look forward to future events in the region,” Professor McWha said after attending the reception. Held at the Australian Consulate, this highly successful event brought together graduates and friends as well as representatives from the university’s study abroad programs. “I am greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm of our graduates “The success of this inaugural gathering is encouraging for the potential of establishing a formal alumni chapter in the USA.” For more information about this event, or other activities held by the University of Adelaide alumni network in the United States, please email Benjamin Leske: [email protected] Professor Fred McDougall provided the welcoming address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, drawing comparisons between the university back in the early 1970s and today, and highlighting some of the recent achievements of staff and students. A powerpoint presentation, “The Moon, the Mini and the Mod Squad”, provided a visual recollection of student life at the University of Adelaide from 1969-73. Following the presentation, David Gray (BE 1972) entertained graduates and guests by revealing the 30-year secret of how an FJ Holden was suspended under the University Footbridge. “Under cover of the early hours of one Friday morning, a group of volunteers pushed the FJ Holden under the bridge next to the water on the southern bank of the Torrens,” David told the Adelaidean after the reunion. “The car was lifted using beams and lifting gear attached to a small hand-operated crane located on the footbridge. “The crane, with car attached, was then pushed out to the centre of the bridge. The car was firmly secured to the bridge using a large chain. “The crane and volunteers then quickly disappeared into the night and were never found.” The student prank wasn’t the only talking point at the reunion, with many graduates having plenty to catch up on. Don’t try this at home: the FJ Holden suspended from the University Footbridge Photo reproduced from a copy of Hysteresis 1971, the publication of the Adelaide University Engineering Society Graduates returning to Adelaide for the reunion included Carolyn Wild (BE Hons 1973) who travelled from Ottawa, Canada, Roger Jeffery (BSc 1972, BE 1973) from Perth, Helen Bannister (BA Hons 1973) from Victoria, Ruth Medd (BSc 1971) from New South Wales, Luise Dunstan (BSc 1973) from Queensland and Neil Lawson (BEc 1972) also from Queensland, who was the winner of a men’s Seiko Watch generously donated by Grahams Jewellers. Left: David Gray (BE 1972) and Cheryl Gray enjoying the live entertainment Below: Deborah Marlin (winner of the pearl pendant donated by Grahams Jewellers), Rosemary Osman (BSc Hons 1973), and Ruth Medd (BSc 1971) Outside of her professional career, Ms Gribbin has interests in health and fitness, modern art, most types of music, motor sports and following Melbourne in the AFL. This era produced many prominent graduates including NASA astronaut Dr Andy Thomas, international law expert Professor James Crawford, Senator Nick Bolkus, several current State Ministers including the Hon. Paul Holloway, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and Minister for Mineral Resources “I’m an active person and I think that is reflected in the way I do my job,” she said. “I intend very much to be active both within the university community and also the broader community.” Story by Ben Osborne 18 19 Development, and the first woman to graduate in Australia as an oenologist, prominent winemaker Pamela Dunsford. A reunion booklet prepared for the event included biographies of 1972 and 1973 graduates including those who were not able to attend on the evening. The biographies highlight professional and personal achievements and their memories of university days. The 30 Year Reunion for graduates of 1974 will be held in September 2004. For further information on the university’s Reunion Program please contact Kim McBride on +61 8 8303 3196 or email: [email protected] Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003 Sport Mitchell’s study going swimmingly Mitchell Bacon’s life is much like the swimming event he specialises in: a medley. Students get the Blues Mitchell Bacon headlines a group of student athletes recently recognised in the latest round of Adelaide University Sports Association honours, as one of six athletes to receive a Don Stranks and Bob Heddle Scholarship. The other recipients were: Richard McGeachy (Agricultural Science) – rifle shooting The State’s top-ranked male swimmer and Adelaide student, Mitchell Bacon Photo by Ben Osborne An Australian squad member and the top-ranked male swimmer in the State, Mitchell has to juggle his time between studying at the University of Adelaide, an intensive swimming regime and his part-time job. The 20-year-old is partway through completing his Bachelor of Environmental Science, and says that his study comes first. “I am really enjoying my study and while swimming is important to me now, I know that studying at Adelaide will set me up for the rest of my life,” he said. “I’m hoping to finish off my degree in a couple of years’ time and then go on to do Honours and even a PhD in Environmental Science.” Mitchell spends approximately 30 hours a week training, around which he fits in his study and parttime job with a local engineering firm. His next major competition will be the Olympic trials in March, at which he will compete in the 200m and 400m individual medley in a bid to make the Australian team that will compete in Athens. “You need to finish in the top two of an event at trials to be selected in the team, so if I’m good enough to do that then the Olympics will be my main focus in 2004,” he said. “And if I don’t, then I will be able to throw myself into my study—either way, I’ll be active!” Story by Ben Osborne 20 Brad Fitzgerald (Environmental Science) – hockey James Loechel (Commerce and Law) – football Adrian Oest (Mechatronic Engineering) – rowing Adelaide Boylan (International Studies and Law) – rowing Oest also received one of five prestigious University Blues – given for sporting prowess at a national level or beyond – which were awarded last month. The other Blues recipients were: Steven Perry (Science) – rowing David Gooding (Spatial Information Science) – gymnastics Sion Harman (Health Sciences) – taekwondo Andrew Morris (Medicine) – waterskiing
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